Quick Update

In the time between now and the last post, I made an appointment for Heidi on September 4th at the NCSU Vet School. I had to take Heidi to our local vet a couple of weeks ago because she began getting a swollen, red lump on her incision line just like last time. It was lower on the incision line than before, but they did a culture and it was infected. She was on antibiotics and it cleared up quickly, but the vet we spoke with at NC State is afraid these abscesses are being caused by an infection on the inside. I hope and pray they're wrong. Before that, though, as I posted before she was having the lameness and clicking associated with a meniscal tear, so strangely enough, that is what I'm hoping for. If it is indeed an infection of the implant, they will have to remove the remaining hardware, which is a porous titanium wedge (that her bone has now grown INTO). I don't really know what they do then to stabilize the knee/leg and apparently the recovery is AWFUL. So yeah, I'm really hoping that's not it. Well, I just wanted to do a follow-up post to let you know the latest, and you can expect another post in the near future in regards to her appointment on the 4th! Until then, send happy thoughts our way!

Torn... literally... again...

My poor Heidi girl can't catch a break.  A couple of weeks ago she began limping AGAIN.  It was minor and would kind of come and go, so honestly, the hubs and I tried to ignore it.  We decided no walks, just outside to potty, and that was it.  We were so hoping it was just a fluke (even though in the back of my mind I knew it wasn't.)  A couple of days ago, for the first time, I heard her knee popping.  I could just rip my hair out; I feel so defeated.  We seriously have tried to do everything right.  No more dog park.  No more rough play.  No more running.  Just controlled walks and lots of love.  I don't even know what brought this along- which is the worst part.  Just one night, she got out of her bed and was barely using her left back leg.  If you're not familiar with the progression of these knee injuries, often the next thing to go after a CCL tear is the meniscus.  The telltale sign is the knee click (popping). 

I need to call the vet school and make an appointment for her to be seen, but I already know what they will say- another knee surgery.  Her FOURTH knee surgery (third on that knee).  So I've put it off.  I will do it tomorrow.  Ugh. 

I know I'm getting ahead of myself, as I don't have all of the options or facts, but I'm really torn about the meniscus repair/removal surgery.  For those of you who don't know, the meniscus is a cartilaginous structure inside the knee.  It cushions the knee and helps provide stability to the joint.  With a torn meniscus it causes pain and instability... and leads to arthritis.  Without it, I imagine it may eventually cause pain and instability due to... dun dun dun... arthritis.  Well, maybe they'll only take out the damaged part of the meniscus.  But then does that leave her susceptible (or maybe even more susceptible) to future tears, leading to future surgeries?  I need to write these questions down to ask her doctor. 

I read somewhere that surgeons only think of the short-term.  If she has this surgery, she will be fixed.  But is it a permanent fix or just temporary?  In another 6 months will we be at this same place again?  My dog is only 3 years old!  I want to know where I can realistically expect Heidi to be when she's 10.  By God this dog will live past 10!  She's a shelter dog for Heaven's sake... a MUTT!  Aren't they supposed to be the best dogs?  I have a minor in genetics... a broader gene pool is supposed to provide enough variance to prevent genetic conditions, so WHY does my dog have a "genetic" degenerative joint condition????

Alright, time to put on my big girl panties.  I apologize for my pity party.  It's not really for me.  It's for Heidi.  She is the best dog.  She does not deserve any of this.  But I guess we'll take the hand we're dealt and do what we have to do.   That is all for now- I'll keep you all posted!

Side note:  If anyone reading this has had a dog with a torn meniscus, I would love to hear your story.  I haven't been able to find much online.